New York Giants Mini-Camp Ends: The third and final day of the New York Giants mandatory, 3-day mini-camp was held on Thursday. Practice was called after only a few minutes when rain started to fall. Head Coach Tom Coughlin chose not to continue practice within the team’s indoor facility.

The rookies will spend one more day at Quest Diagnostics Center. Players are off until scheduled to report to Quest Diagnostics Center on July 21 for the start of summer training camp.

New York Giants Sign OT DeMarcus Love and DT Everett Dawkins: The Giants have signed street free agents OT DeMarcus Love and DT Everett Dawkins. To make room for these two, the Giants waived OT Steven Baker and DT Eathyn Manumaleuna.

BBI scouting report on OT DeMarcus Love:

The Giants signed DeMarcus Love as a street free agent in June 2014. Love was originally drafted in the 6th round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings waived him in October 2013 and he was then picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who waived him in June 2014. Love has a nice combination of size and athleticism. He needs to play with more nastiness and fire. He also needs to improve his overall technique in order to make it at the NFL level.

BBI scouting report on DT Everett Dawkins:

The Giants signed Everett Dawkins as a street free agent in June 2014. Dawkins was originally drafted in the 7th round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. The Dallas Cowboys signed Dawkins off of the Vikings Practice Squad in November 2013, but waived him three weeks later. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers then signed him to their Practice Squad. The Buccaneers waived Dawkins in June 2014. Dawkins is a 3-technique tackle who lacks ideal size, but he is quick and athletic and can be disruptive. He needs to add size and strength. Dawkins is not overly stout against the run. He needs to play with better leaverage.

June 19, 2014 New York Giants Coach Media Q&As: Transcripts and video of Thursday’s media Q&A sessions with the following coaches are available at Giants.com or BigBlueInteractive.com:

Well, that was quick. In the final installment of the New York Giants mandatory, three-day mini-camp, practice was over essentially before it began. The Giants took the field, practiced kick return, stretched, huddled and broke. It also began to rain.

Off went Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning and others for a 32-day break before the team comes together again for training camp on July 21. Without further ado, here is your practice report:

Odell Beckham – Photo by Connor Hughes

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Giants practiced a full-team kickoff. The returners? David Wilson, Michael Cox, Odell Beckham Jr., Trindon Holliday and Quintin Demps. I guess, because this was the only portion of practice other than stretching, you could say Beckham and Wilson were full participants. So, there’s that.

Coughlin spoke to the media afterwards and said that the team did a walk-through before the media got out there.

THE INTERVIEWS While many players ran out with heel clicks knowing their summer vacation started a couple hours early, a few stuck around. As was the case this week, everyone headed on into the locker room to catch whomever was still around.

Coughlin talked at length and said he plans on taking a vacation with his family. He also made a really nice quote that stuck out: “The NY never comes off.” He said he told the players to make sure they didn’t get in trouble. Essentially, if Will Hill would do it, don’t you do it.

I had a great conversation with undrafted Notre Dame linebacker Dan Fox, who is loving every second of being a Giant. Fox said when the team called and he signed, he got a second call from Bennett Jackson, his teammate who the Giants drafted in the sixth round. Fox, who suffered a knee injury his senior year, said that playing hurt last year was one of the reasons he went undrafted. We’ll have much more on him later this evening.

Talked to Prince Amukamara as well for a few minutes who said he is enjoying the married life. As far as his proposal, see below, not many on the team got on him too much aside from Jason Pierre-Paul and Eli Manning. Amukamara also said the secondary is striving to be the best in the NFL.

Michael Cox said he was “hoping” to get a chance to play as a rookie last season, but didn’t really know. This year, Cox said the biggest difference is he understands the game and “knows everything a lot better.” He also is around the same weight as last season. Didn’t gain much more, or lose anything.

THE COACHES For the first time this offseason, the Giants made their assistant coaches available to the media. From new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, to linebacker’s coach Jim Herrmann, all spent time with reporters. Below you will find some interesting tidbits pulled from those interviews.

TOM QUINN (Special Teams Coordinator)

Quinn seemed extremely happy about not only his new returners, but gunners as well. The coach spent time praising free-agent acquisition Zack Bowman, along with Trindon Holliday and Quintin Demps.

Holliday, who has struggled holding onto the ball throughout his career, is being taught “high and tight” according to Quinn.

It seems as if all returners are going to be dual returners, working both on kicks and punts.

Personally, when I saw Temple rookie Brandon McManus’ name on the Giants’ roster, I assumed it was nothing more than a leg to give Josh Brown a break. According to Quinn, that isn’t really the case. It looks like McManus will be given every chance to win the kicking job. Quinn raved about the 22-year-old’s accuracy and ability to kick in cold weather.

McAdoo seemed to echo what Tom Coughlin said a few weeks ago, the offense is a work in progress. Has there been progress? Yes. Is it “mastered?” No. It’s going to take time, but the first-year play caller seemed excited about where things are headed.

As of right now, McAdoo isn’t exactly sure where he will be calling plays, just that he will be. McAdoo said he expects to be on the field, but that’s not certain.

Trindon Holliday, who has impressed in camp, hasn’t just taken reporters by surprise, but the coaching staff, too. McAdoo said he’s making plays and looked good as a slot receiver. “He’s been a pleasant surprise.”

In offenses across the NFL, the fullback position has slowly but surely been disappearing. That apparently won’t be the case in New York. While the exact role is in the air, a fullback will be used: “The way I was raised, the full back was a big part of the things you do.”

KEVIN GILBRIDE JR. (Tight Ends Coach)

Gilbride, the son of former Giants’ offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride Sr., said his dad is doing well and enjoying life away from football. Jr. said his dad has been taking time to speak at football clinics and high schools, something he always wanted to do but wasn’t able to when coaching.

As far as Adrien Robinson, Gilbride said he’s been extremely active in the meeting rooms. The biggest issue with Robinson is that when the coaching staff tries to teach him too much, he forgets some of the basics.

DANNY LANGSDORF (Quarterbacks Coach)

Langsdorf said that he has been excited and pleased with Eli Manning. The coaching staff has worked with Manning on improving some of his footwork, accuracy, ball fakes and other mechanics.

Ryan Nassib has impressed Langsdorf with his intelligence and praised the quarterback for getting people lined up correctly. Another attribute that Langsdorf credited was Nassib’s mobility, saying he has the ability to extend plays and take off.

PAT FLAHERTY (Offensive Line Coach)

The Giants’ offensive line has been one of the more revamped positions in the offseason and Flaherty said it’s been a little different not seeing the same faces. As of today, the coach still doesn’t know who will start versus Detroit. It seems like an open competition.

John Jerry, who has been sidelined with an injury, was brought in with an opportunity to potentially start according to Flaherty. If Snee isn’t able to go, looks like position is his. Side note, Flaherty did say he doesn’t know what he has with the line simply because the team isn’t in pads. He doesn’t seem to like the “no contact” rules.

Perry Fewell – Photo by Connor Hughes

PERRY FEWELL (Defensive Coordinator)

Perry Fewell seems very excited about the secondary and what he’ll be able to do with it. The coach mentioned multiple times about the potential the group has with all the new acquisitions.

Another area Fewell seems excited for is the linebacking unit, and in particular, the rookies. Fewell is very intrigued by rookies Devon Kennard and Dan Fox, saying both are extremely intelligent.

Two players that have stuck out to Fewell: Johnathan Hankins & Marcus Kuhn.

JIM HERRMANN (Linebackers Coach)

After three years, it looks like Jacquian Williams is finally starting to put everything together. Herrmann offered high praise to the linebacker saying he has taken the next step during the offseason. After playing strictly in the nickel package, Williams is now the starter in the base 4-3 as well. “He made a big jump this spring.”

Herrmann, similar to Fewell, credited Dan Fox’s intelligence as a strong part of his game.

DAVID MERRITT (Safeties Coach)

Merritt offered two big pieces of information: 1- Antrel Rolle has just begun to reach his true potential 2- Quintin Demps wants to play more in the box. Apparently when Demps signed, he went to Merritt with the goal and the coach told him he’d help him get there. After watching players like Eric Berry have success, Demps wants to try it out too.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED With practice essentially cancelled, questions regarding how certain players performed aren’t really able to be answered.

FROM MILTON – Which of the rookies have impressed them the most?

Not too many players were made available, but from a coaching stand point it looks like it’s Devon Kennard. The fifth-round pick is presently running with the 1’s and few offer anything other than praise.

FROM GEORGE FROM PA – What position in your opinion still needs to be improved?

It’s tough to say with these drills being zero contact. From a pure “paper” perspective, I still say offensive line. I like Geoff Schwartz and J.D. Walton a lot, but without Chris Snee or William Beatty… I still see a lot of holes.

FROM BOB IN TX – Does the staff see Ryan Nassib ready to be the No. 2 QB?

Right now, yes. Nassib is getting all of the No. 2 reps and it’s really not close. Curtis Painter, the only other QB on the roster, get’s anywhere from 3-4 per drill.

FROM BC4LIFE – Once healthy where does Pat Flaherty see John Jerry?

Asked him this question myself, his answer surprised me. Flaherty said that Jerry signed with the Giants because of his chance to start. From talking to him, looks like they view him as a starter. Where? That’s yet to be seen.

FROM AFNAVY – Will Ben McAdoo be calling plays from the field or from the booth?

That’s yet to be decided. McAdoo did said they’re leaning towards having him on the field.

https://twitter.com/lilylondon1013/status/479633616066973696

McAdoo avoided any real questions about anyone specific, instead saying he likes the player’s in the tight end room. Said they’re “Big bodies.”

@Connor_J_Hughes i would love to get something on Kennard. Is he impressing at strong side? More of a MLB back up? Whatever you got

New York Giants Mini-Camp – Day 2: The second day of the New York Giants mandatory, 3-day mini-camp was held on Wednesday. The final practice is Thursday before the team breaks until summer training camp on July 21.

June 18, 2014 New York Giants Injury Report: TE Larry Donnell was taken to the hospital by ambulance after practice due to dehydration . He was scheduled to be discharged from the hospital in the afternoon.

“It’s the post-surgical rehab that we knew was going to be the issue,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin when asked about Manningham. “Hopefully he’ll be okay for camp…There was a serious procedure, so he’s still coming back. He played a little bit and didn’t help himself…I hope he can make a play like the last time he was here.”

“I went and got scoped in January so that’s what I’m rehabbing,” said Manningham. “I’m not worried at all. Rehab is not like I’m just sitting around and not doing anything. That’s my whole point of getting back on the field – rehab, doing something every day, doing something every day and every week to make my knee stronger.”

WR Odell Beckham (hamstring) participated in a limited number of team drills.

“Definitely not top speed right now,” said Beckham. “It’s getting up there, like 85 (percent). You don’t to open up too much. You never know what can happen. Hamstring injuries, it’s one of those things that are very nagging. You don’t want to push it too much.”

June 18, 2014 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s press conference on Wednesday are available at Giants.com.

June 18, 2014 New York Giants Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video of Wednesday’s media Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Quotes: Head Coach Tom Coughlin on DE Damontre Moore: “He’s made good, steady progress. He’s, naturally, a year later, a year more into it so he’s more comfortable with what’s going on. It’s not one of those things where you don’t notice that he’s out there because he does have a correction here or there. We like what we see. His continued development in the weight room with just some added muscle and strength, a little bit more size is something that will help a lot.”

As the summer weather finally made its way to East Rutherford, the New York Giants took the field at Quest Diagnostics Performance Center for the first day of the team’s three-day mandatory mini-camp.

Maybe the warmth was exactly what Eli Manning needed as he put together his finest performance of the offseason with the media watching. The two-time Super Bowl MVP was accurate, put some nice zip on the ball and connected with Rueben Randle for the practice’s play of the day. On a play fake, Manning rolled out to his right before unloading on one down the left side of the field, hitting Randle perfectly in stride.

Rueben Randle backed my assessment of Eli Manning's throw from earlier as best of spring. "Good ball? Great ball. High 5 for that one" #NYG

In what is looking like a trend during practice, the Giants began with their special teams punt drill. Unlike we’d seen the last two media-available OTAs, the Giants didn’t appear to work any gunners, simply returners and the front line of the punt team.

The media was finally able to see WR Odell Beckham Jr. in action…sort off. New York’s first-round pick participated in the individual portion of practice and also fielded some punts. It looks as if CB Walter Thurmond is the odd-man out when Beckham goes back to field. Rotation went as follows: WR Trindon Holliday, WR Rueben Randle, Odell Beckham Jr., and WR Victor Cruz. Thurmond was over with the returners, he just didn’t field any.

One nice little variation seen during this portion of practice. The Giants ran a fake punt, snapping the ball directly to S Quintin Demps. Not sure if they’d pull it out in the regular season, but it was there. Looked very similar to the design used when RB Da’Rel Scott scored in the preseason versus the Patriots.

Not directly after, but later in practice the Giants worked on kick off/kick return. Rotation went as follows: Quintin Demps, Trindon Holliday, WR Jerrel Jernigan, and RB Michael Cox. Beckham was in the area, but did not field any.

OFFENSE

Following the special teams, the Giants transitioned to a split offense/defense. It was tough to see the defense as they worked off in the distance, so we’ll still with offense.

Nearly every time a tight end talks, he speaks about how much the position moves around compared to last year. They aren’t lying. There was one particular formation in which the Giants came out with three tight ends: Kellen Davis in the slot, Larry Donnell in the traditional position and Daniel Fells split out wide right.

Because there was no defense, RB David Wilson was able to partake. The former first-round pick worked with the No. 2’s. When Wilson is healthy, it looks like rotation will read as follows: Rashaad Jennings, David Wilson, and Andre Williams.

The fullback has been used very, very little during the offseason, but today John Conner came in with the first-team offense. I wouldn’t look much into it, but potentially he has the early edge.

After running through some full offense, without the defense, the Giants offense split up. First, the wideouts went and caught passes from the coaches while the tight ends worked with the quarterbacks.

First off, get this out of the way early, no drops from this group.

TE Xavier Grimble moves with some pretty good speed for his size. You can tell he has some power, too. Would be interesting to see him and a defensive back in the open field.

TE Adrien Robinson continues to flash. He caught one in the flat and turned up the field, tip-toeing down the sideline. He demonstrated some good balance.

After about 15 minutes of running the route tree, the tight ends went off to work on blocking and the WR’s came together.

If Eli made the play of the day, Odell Beckham Jr. made the “catch of the day.” Running an out route, Beckham jumped in the air (showing off his vertical) adjusting to the ball in the process, caught it at its highest point before toe-tapping to stay in bounds. It was very impressive.

Not sure if it was a point of emphasis in the offseason, but Rueben Randle looks very good running routes. The third-year pro is smooth in and out of breaks and has some good burst. He makes it look easy. Beckham, on the other hand, may have been showing some effects from hamstring strain. He didn’t look 100 percent in his breaks and lacked the speed so many have talked about.

TWO-MINUTE DRILL

Following the individual portion of practice, the Giants came together for their two-minute drill.

First thing is first, Jameel McClain is your starting middle linebacker while Beason is out. In the nickel package, he works with Jacquian Williams. In the base, it’s him, Williams and rookie Devon Kennard. Kennard really seems to be impressing coaches.

We saw a very interesting formation with the nickel package. Instead of a traditional four-man/two linebacker package the Giants defense read as follows: Antrel Rolle and Stevie Brown at safety, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara outside with Walter Thurmond in the slot. On the line, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, DT Cullen Jenkins and DE Damontre Moore. Mathias Kiwanuka played a roaming LB/DE position.

Kiwanuka hinted at it and even took some reps during 7-on-7, but it appears he’s working some at LB again.

DE Kerry Wynn had a would-be sack on Ryan Nassib.

With Chris Snee and Will Beatty out, the Giants’ offensive line read as follows: Charles Brown (LT), Geoff Schwartz (LG), J.D. Walton (C), Brandon Mosley (RG), and Justin Pugh (RT). I would almost expect that RG position to be John Jerry’s come camp if Snee still isn’t able to go.

Eli Manning hit Adrien Robinson for what would have been a touchdown down the seam. Again, Robinson continues to flash. There is no sign if he’s in the lead for the spot atop the depth chart, the Giants are still working in a rotation.

Devon Kennard made a nice play. Manning took a three-step drop and looked for someone in the flat, couldn’t tell if TE or RB, but Kennard came in on a blitz and batted the ball down at the line. There were three-to-four passes that were batted. It’s obvious the ball is coming out of the quarterback’s hand faster and the defense looks like they’ve picked up on it.

The running back seems to definitely be featured in the passing game. I can’t count how many times we saw RB Rashad Jennings hit with one in the flat where he was the primary target.

During the two-minute drill, Ben McAdoo spent a lot of time with the tight ends, standing around whoever wasn’t on the field.

One area of Ryan Nassib’s game that is very similar to former quarterback David Carr’s is his ability to run with the ball. He’s not Mike Vick fast, but very shifty. He has some wheels and can accelerate, too. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him break off a few this preseason.

This was the portion of practice when Manning hit Randle. Manning had easily his best day of practice in which the media were allowed to attend. He looked in mid-season form.

7-ON-7

After the two-minute drill, the Giants went to 7-on-7.

He didn’t get many, but Mathias Kiwanuka got some reps at linebacker. He’s versatile and could be an option.

On the sideline, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie practiced his one-handed interceptions again. It’s impressive, I must say. He palms the ball coming directly down on top of it. A few different players took turns throwing.

Adrien Robinson again made a nice grab down the middle, juking and maneuvering his way through defenders after the grab.

11-ON-11

The Giants ended practice in their normal fashion, working a straight 11-on-11 drill with the starting offense versus the starting defense.

LT Will Beatty sighting: The offensive tackle was walking around the outskirts of the field with no considerable limp. He told me later he wasn’t 100%, but close.

Jerrel Jernigan’s strong start to the end of the season looks to have put him in good faith with the coaching staff. He’s gotten all looks as the outside wide receiver opposite Randle with Victor Cruz in the slot.

Manning made a real nice play on a play-action bootleg. He rolled out to his left, threw across his body, and made an accurate throw to Victor Cruz cutting across the field. He hit Cruz in stride, not something that is easy to do when throwing across your body.

The offense seems to be getting the play off at a much quicker pace than in OTAs. I counted a bunch of times when the ball was snapped with 10-15 seconds on the play clock. You’ve gotta figure the more comfortable the team gets, the more that number will grow.

WR Marcus Harris burned CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie bad on a double move. Eli hit him in stride, as he did with nearly every target, for a touchdown in the back of the endzone.

Adrien Robinson again caught one down the middle of the field. There is no clear indication of who’s No. 1, but I’d give the edge to the former fourth-round pick.

Practice once again ended with a touchdown…this one not from the offense. Eli Manning fired a rocket to Jerrel Jernigan who had the pass bounce off his hands. Antrel Rolle jumped in the air, caught it with one hand and returned it all the way for a score. The whistle was blown well before Rolle reached the end zone, but he wasn’t stopping.

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